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Prof. Hoang Xuan Chinh studies some antiques. Photo V.T |
On a visit to Binh Dinh to study Binh Dinh's antiques, Prof.Dr. Hoang Xuan Chinh, ex-director of Vietnam Archaeology Institute and vice-director of Vietnam Antiques Research and Preservation Center, talked more about them.
Q: What is your opinion on Champa cultural items in Binh Dinh?
A: Binh Dinh was one of Champa centres from the 10th to 15th century, let alone Quang Nam, Da Nang, and My Son. It has, therefore, many valuable vestiges of Champa sculpture and architecture such as stone sculptural pieces, terra-cotta statues, and many towers.
Many Champa items with different shapes and material are now displayed at Binh Dinh Museum.
Of many Champa cultural items found recently, statues of Gods unearthed in archaeological excavations at Champa temples are noteworthy. The findings proved that sculptural items had existed for five centuries, which provides more knowledge of Champa culture.
Also, studies on Champa pottery are noticeable. Thanks to archaeological excavations around pottery-kilns in An Nhon District, we could know the development of Champa pottery in Binh Dinh.
It features are distinguished from other kinds of pottery. They can be categorized as household articles and architectural ones, of which household articles include crockeries and enamels.
Date of kinds of pottery was also classified into two periods. One kind belongs to the 13th-15th centuries and the other is after the 15th century.
Q: What made you interested in during the visit to Binh Dinh?
A: I witnessed a collection of nearly 2,000 items by collector Nguyen Vinh Hao, of which there are four valuable ones. The first is white porcelain objects. I think their date is of the 12th - 13th century. The second is of terra-cotta and pottery items covered with brown enamel, whose date is of the 13th – 14th century. The third is bowls and dishes with jade enamel. They belong to the 12th – 15th century. The last one is terra-cotta statues named Shive, Ganesa, Nandin. I think that they provide more understanding of Champa pottery.
The collection will be, in my opinion, able to attract more tourists to Quy Nhon.
Q: You have mentioned porcelain items with white and jade enamels. I wonder if they belong to Go Sanh pottery. What do you think about the fact that such items have been found in Binh Dinh while there is nothing found in the North?
A: I can say that they are of the 12th – 13th century, but if they belong to Go Sanh pottery is questionable. It needs more findings. I was not surprised with the fact that such items have been found in Binh Dinh while there is nothing found in the North. Binh Dinh, as I mentioned above, was one of Champa centers. It had Thi Nai port, which made the exchange of goods become easier at that time.
Q: Many people want to set up another museum to preserve Champa cultural items. What do you think about this?
A: In my opinion, the construction of Champa culture is necessary. If possible, visitors will have one more site for their tour. But the museum should be used to display not only Champa cultural items but all Binh Dinh's antiques.
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